Tom Wilson: What’s an ex-president to do?

Monday

Jan 26, 2009 at 12:01 AMJan 26, 2009 at 8:41 PM

Each time a U.S. president leaves office at the end of his term, he is asked what he intends to do in retirement. When John Quincy Adams left the office in 1829 he remarked, “That there is nothing more pathetic in life than a former President!” President Franklin Pierce was even more critical when departing in 1857 by remarking, “After the White House, what is there to do but drink?”

Tom Wilson

Each time a U.S. president leaves office at the end of his term, he is asked what he intends to do in retirement.

The nation’s first chief had no qualms about leaving office, as he was a reluctant president from the beginning. George Washington initially hurried back to his beloved homestead at Mount Vernon to assume the title of gentleman farmer. In a surprise development, President John Adams appointed Washington commander in chief of the army. Thus, he was the only former president to assume active military duty.

When John Quincy Adams left the office in 1829 he said, “That there is nothing more pathetic in life than a former President!” President Franklin Pierce was even more critical when departing in 1857 by remarking, “After the White House, what is there to do but drink?”

When Harry Truman departed the nation’s highest office in 1953 his only source of government support was an army pension of $112.56 a month. Truman was forced initially to take out a loan to make ends meet. Truman’s situation eventually led Congress to establish a pension for retiring presidents and later added substantial compensation for office expenses.

Currently, a former president receives a pension of $191,000 annually and $96,000 to pay for an office staff. He also receives government paid travel, phone services and free postage expenses. At last estimate, Secret Service protection for former presidents and spouses totals approximately $23 million each year.

The first modern president to benefit greatly from retirement perks was Gerald Ford. He was able to receive up to $80,000 per speaking engagement. The first year out of office, Bill Clinton collected nearly $10 million in fees from speeches. Former President Ronald Reagan caused a stir when received $2 million for a couple of 20-minute speeches in Japan in 1989.

Both former presidents and their spouses have handsomely cashed in on sweet book deals. Bill and Hillary Clinton have received over $20 million between them for writing and publishing their memoirs.

Former President Jimmy Carter has been one of the most active ex-presidents and has had a great impact on the entire world. He established the Carter Center to promote human rights and peacekeeping efforts in war-torn parts of the world. Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize for his continuing efforts. He also launched Habitat for Humanity. Former Presidents Clinton and George H.W. Bush joined forces to raise millions of dollars for world relief projects.

When Rutherford Hayes left the presidency in 1881 he returned to Ohio and became a successful chicken farmer. Former President Thomas Jefferson established the University of Virginia and after their retirement from the highest office, both James Madison and James Monroe became involved with the university. Former President John Tyler became chancellor of the College of William & Mary and Willard Fillmore became chancellor of the University of Buffalo.

Four ex-presidents found their way back into government positions. John Quincy Adams was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; Andrew Johnson was elected a U.S. senator; William Howard Taft became chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; and Grover Cleveland was re-elected president after sitting out one term.

The most recent ex-president, George W. Bush ,has indicated that he would consider becoming the commissioner of Major League Baseball.

The late former President Gerald Ford remarked, “Once a man has been president, he becomes an object of curiosity like those other Missouri characters, Mark Twain and Jesse James.”

Tom Wilson is a Galesburg historian. He can be reached at wilsont29@comcast.net.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.